Switch-box structure.



A. D. LEVY.

SWITCH BOX STRUCTURE. APPLICATION FILED APR.22, 1910.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

7 mvm ABRAM D. LEVY, OLE CLEVELAND, OHIO.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20,1910.

Application filed April 22, 1910. Serial No. 557,024.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAM D. LEvY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Box Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to switch box construction, and particularly to certain features of construction and arrange ment whereby separate or independent boxes may be readily locked together in a gang without removing any partsof the box.

More specifically the invention relates to a switch box construction wherein each complete individual box is provided upon one side with suitable keyhole-shaped openings, and on the opposite side with pins provided with heads adapted to pass through the larger portion of the key hole openings and to engage the inside of the box when the shanks of the pins are moved along the narrower portion of the key hole openings, whereby two or more boxes may be locked together in a gang very quickly, producing an etlicient switch box construction.

A further feature is the fact that the boxes may be locked or fastened together in a gang just as they are so that each is complete in itself even though it is locked together with other boxes.

Still further invention resides in eertaii details of construction hereinafter set forth iii the following description,drawings and claims.

Referring to the drawiitgs, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the key hole slots; Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the side opposite to the one shown in Fig. 1. and showing the pins which engage the key hole openings; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the box; Fig. t is a horizontal sectional view of two boxes locked together showing the manner in which the locking feature is brought about; and Fig. is a front elevation look ing into the opening of the box.

In carrying out the invention any preferred form and construction of parts may be employed so longas they possess the necessary characteristics, but I have shown one embodiment in the drawings which is very effective in operation, and in this embodiment land 2 represent the two sides of the box, the former being provided with key hole openings each comprising a round portion -3 and an elongated slot 41, extending from the round opening 3 to the rear. The side 2, on the other hand, is provided with pins 5 having heads 6, the former being adapted to pass through the slot 4: and

the latter through the opening 3. There are preferably two slots on the side 1 and two pins on the side 2 for each box; The sides 1 and 2 are still further provided with insetupper portions 7 along their upper and lower edges, as shown, and the purpose of this construction will appear later. The back 8 of the box may have inclined portions 9 at the back corners and these portions may be provided with openings 10 for receiving the conductors passing to the switch (not shown)-but which is mounted in the box. The box is further provided with a top 11 and a bottom 12, and these parts are cut away to fit between the inset portions 7 of the sides 1 and 2. The front edge of the top and bottom each provided with an upturned lug 13 and 14 respectively each of which is provided with a threaded opening 15 for receiving ascrew which secures the switch mechanism (not shown) in place within the box.

The box is secured in the wall or casing by means of a clip 16 having a central bridging portion 17 which is curved to pass over the screw (not shown), but which passes through the opening 15 in the lugs 13 and 14; Each of these clips is further provided with two elongated openings or slots 18 which receive screws 19 passing into suitable openings in the top and bottom of the box near their front edges. The clip is further provided at its ends with downwardly extending flanges 20 which extend over and onto the inset portions 7 and with upturned lugs 21 which are provided with openings 22 for receiving screws. One of these clips is provided on the top and one on the bottom of the box and they may be turned with the lugs 21 toward the rear, as

shown in Fig. 1, so that there is a space be-.

tween them and the lugs 13 and 141 for the lathing or other finish of the wall or they may be turned with their lugs 21 in alinement with the lugs 13 and 14.- when screws may be applied through the openings 22 into the lathing or casing. The slots 18 permit these clips to be adjusted from front to rear in any desired position.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a are struck up from sheet metal, but I prefer to form them from sheet metal, and when they are made in this way the sides 1 and with their upper and lower inset portions 7, the back- 8 with its end portions 0, and the top and bottom of the box together with their lugs 13 and 14 are all struck from one sheet of metal and are then formed up in substantially the configuration shown in the drawings. The clips are also formed from sheet metal and when they are applied to the top and bottom of the box their flanges 20 serve to hold the sides of the box tightly against the edges of the top and bottom, but x these flanges do not interfere with the coupling of one box with another by reason of the fact that the inset portions 7 of the sides permit them to lap over the sides without projecting beyond the planes of the sides.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a switch box structure, a lurality of complete switch boxes remova ly secured together in a gang. 2. In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes each provlded with locking means cooperating with the next adjacent box. I

3. In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes each provided upon its sides with locking means cooperating with the next adjacent box.

a. In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes each provided upon one side with a locking opening and on its opposite side with a pin adapted to lock in the opening of an adjacent box.

In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes comprising top and bottom portions and back and side portions one of which is provided with a socket and the other of which is provided with a member for engagement in the corresponding socket of the next adjacent box.

6. In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes ea'ch having one side provided with slots, and an opposite side rovided with pins for engagement in the s ots of the next adjacent box.

. 7. In a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes each having one side provided with a key hole slot and an opposite side provided with a pin for engagement in the key hole slot of the next ad acent box.

8. I11 a switch box structure, a plurality of complete individual boxes each provided on one of its sides with key hole openings and upon an opposite side with pins having heads for engagement in the slots of the next adjacent box for removably securing the boxes together in a gang.

9. A switch box comprising a top, a bottom, a back and two sides, one of which is provided with key hole slots and the other of which is provided with pins having heads for cooperation with the slots and the walls thereof, whereby two or more boxes may be readily locked together in a gang.

10. A switch box structure comprising a plurality of complete individual boxes havmg sides with inset portions near their upper edges, and lock engaging openings on one side and locking 1115 on the opposite side, and a securing chp having flanges ex tending over the sides and engaging the inset portions thereof.

11. A switch box formed of sheet metal and comprising a top member, a bottom member, back and side portions bent up from the back and having inset upper edges, and a cli secured to the top and bottom and having ownwardly extending flangesfor engagin over the inset portions at the edges of the sides for holding them in place.

12. A switch box formed of sheet metal and comprising a top member, a bottom member, back and side portions bent up from the back and having inset upper edges, and a clip secured to the top andbottom and having downwardly extending flanges for engaging over the inset portions at the edges of the sides for holding them in place, se curing lugs secured to said clips and extending upward therefrom, and means for securing the clips to the box.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses as follows;

ABE D. LEVY.

Witnesses:

ALTON H. Bums, CHRISTINE II. TRnsoI-L' 

